Good News for Hundreds Of Needy Students -Labour Ministry Subsidizes Vacation Job Program for Youth

It looks like the “19-wee-wee”, another way Liberians say “long ago”, vacation job scheme—something that used to put some cash in the pockets of struggling students by doing menial jobs, and having opportunity for career pathways with public and private institutions, is back. It also had helped to preoccupy many students with worthy activities while on vacation. Signs that such a worthwhile program is coming back has flashed over the horizons with announcements from the Ministry of Labor indicating that subsidies for the scheme, at least in part, are being approved by the Ministry beginning with Buchanan and Montserrado counties. THE ANALYST reports.

The Ministry of Labor has issued a press release disclosing that as part of Government’s commitment to the country’s jobless youthful population, Labour Minister Cooper W. Kruah, Sr. has commenced the process of providing financial support to hundreds of needy students across Montserrado and Grand Bassa Counties.

According to the release, Minister Kruah presented the minimum financial aid package to the over 360 students from the two counties at a formal program, held at his EJS Ministerial Complex office in Oldest Congo, outskirts of Monrovia, on Friday, October 4.

“This is part of our commitment to elevate the educational sector under the ‘ARREST AGENDA’ in preparation of the young people for future job market, now plagued by foreign expatriates”, Minister Kruah said, according to the press release.

He added: “We want to assure the general public that by next year, we will commence the vacation job program earlier by contacting all of our stakeholders in the labour sector, public institutions, concessions, non-governmental organizations, as well embassies and UN Partners for support to ensure that our youth are empowered and mentored in working environments during the vacation period.”

Cllr Kruah divulged that the Ministry of Labour will be recommencing its Internship and Apprenticeship Program, beginning next year, adding that the next phase will cater to more needy students, as modalities for support will be expanded.

He thanked Liberia Agriculture Company (LAC), AFCONS Infrastructure Ltd, Monrovia Breweries, Bea Mountain Mining Company, Equatorial Palm Oil, Capital Link Cement Company, J P. Enterprise and Mano Manufacturing company, among others.

The Labour Minister also admonished the student beneficiaries to positively utilize every opportunity, including one being provided now by President Joseph Nyuma Boakai under “The ARREST AGENDA” to “Think, Love and Build Liberia”.

Speaking earlier at the program, the Ministry’s Director of Employment Bureau Otis Wrepu assured of the extreme transparent process of the program leading to provision of the financial aid to the most-needy student beneficiaries.

“In the next phase with the support we are receiving from our bosses led by Minister Kruah, we are sure of more recruitment to benefit the entire country,” Director Wrepue indicated, as he distributed the white envelopes containing the financial package for each student.

The release indicates that beneficiaries of the program are categorized in phases: Grade students, technical colleges and full-fledged university fellows.

In separate remarks, upon receipt of the Ministry’s financial aid package, the beneficiaries expressed relief over the Minister’s prompt intervention in resolving their respective financial constraints.